Subject: Major Milestone reached!
Date: 25.7.2004 at 13:54 GMT Agent: Darth_Linux

Headlines!!! After approximately 14 months time, our Cutscene Artist Christoper "Chrustec" Glerum (http://members.dodo.net.au/chrustec1/
) has completed the 5 minute, 8192 frame Talay cutscene featuring Darth Vader, General Mohc, Dark Troopers, Mon Mothma and Kyle Katarn.

This is a significant achievement for Chrustec as well as the whole mod team. Stay tuned for a few captures from the cutscene posted here on the DF Mod website. We have taken a giant leap forward towards finishing the long awaited 3 level demo. We are in the final stages of preparation and hope to release the demo by the end of August if not sooner.

Keep checking back for more details and screen shots!

Subject: Update due soon
Date: 23.7.2004 at 20:30 GMT Agent: The_One

It's been a while, but I just thought I should chime in and say that the long awaited update is going to be appearing soon. I've been otherwise engaged for the past few weeks, but I have not forgetten about you guys!

Most of the team who experienced problems sighted in the last news post have got back on their feet. FatSpider seems to be back with us, and is working hard once more. Darth_Linux's new video card arrived a few days ago, so he's been able to jump back on the beta testing band wagon. Chrustec has finished the Talay cutscene, and as far as I'm aware, all that's left is to deliver the file to Darth_Linux.

In the update you can expect new screenshots of the Talay cutscene - which is looking extremely impressive, I might add. There will also be some early screenshots of Jabba's Ship, including pictures of some of the weapon models in-game (eg. Fusion Cutter and Concussion Rifle).

It's all coming together, despite the hitches along the way - but I can assure you this release will be worth the wait. The great thing about the team is that we're all perfectionists, so you can rest assured that the mod will be of the highest quality, and we would release nothing less to you ;)

Hang in there!

Subject: Update on the Demo
Date: 9.7.2004 at 17:42 GMT Agent: Darth_Linux

It's been about 6 weeks since we announced the demo was almost done. Well, we've had a few setbacks on the project which is why it is still not ready yet.

First, FatSpider, the Sewers Level Designer had his house broken into and his computer stolen. He got the PC back but some of his work had been deleted and he didn't have a backup of the recent changes. So he's busy recreating some of the data that was lost.

Second, Chrustec, our Cutscene guy had his DVD drive go kaput and he doesn't have enough drive space to render the scene completely. So he's waiting on a new DVD so he can dump his work files to that and finish rendering.

Finally, my video card went TU about 3 weeks ago and I've been waiting for a warranty replacement. In the mean time I've got an old TNT 16MB card installed and it's too old to test JA, so I haven't been able to get any playtesting done.

Anyhow, all is not lost . . . the Dianoga is nearly complete (at least the demo version is), we've got a revamped Imperial Commando, the new spiffy Stormtrooper update, Secret Base has been completely reworked, Talay is nearly complete expect for final polishes and Sewers, well it's getting back up to speed.

At this point, I think we are aiming for a "Labor Day" release of the demo, which is the end of August for everyone not in the USA. I can't make any promises, but I think another 6 weeks will allow everyone to get their hardware issues solved, their lost work recovered and final polishes done on the 3 levels.

thanks for your patience!
D_L